Proofreading machine



Oct. 14, 1947. R, VAN SlckLER 2,428,822

PROOFREADING MACHINE File'd Dec. 9,"1944 4 snee1ssheet 1 lllllll Snvcntor Oct. 14, 1947. R. VAN slcKLER l A2,428,822

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PROOFREADING MACHINE Filed Dec, 9, 1944 4 sheets-sheets] nventor Oct.` 14, 1947.

R. VAN SICKLER PROOFREADING M AGHINE Filed Dee. 9, 1944 -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 14, 1947 vUNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE 2,428,822 PRooFREADING MAoHrN Robert van Sickler, Shreveport, La. Applicationy December 9, 1944;, serial No. 567,454

` 15 Claims.

"This invention pertains to a proof-reading .de-

vice for comparing typewritten matter but particularly to means for permitting the typed or otherwise inscribed matter to b'e matched.

Heretofore, in order to check the accuracy of typewritten or any kind of line for linel worky it has been necessary for one person to read back `from the original to a second person. Experience has proven, that after a comparatively short pee grod of time, the tendency is lfor one or both to' become drowsy and careless, thereby increasing the margin of error.

This invention contemplatcsnot only the elimination of the second 'persox'i` but reduces the num= ber of mistakes caused by earlier methods and in addition, permits the work to be completed in less time consumed by two people, and as a result puts the responsibility for accuracy upon the single individu-al performing the work.

While the present invention is primarily directed to comparison or matching of typewritten matter, it is obvious that many kinds of Stat-is tical data such as monthly insurance ledgers and payroll sheets of varying sizes may be expeditiously checlnedvand compared by the present apV paratus.

It is ari olojec'tofA my invention to enable type written matter to be matched or compared bya single operator.

Another object is to provide means for progressively disposing' one sheet of typed matter, line for line, in close proximity `with a second sheet of similar typed matter'. n

A further object is' to provideV means -for ad, justment for purposes of alignment ci one sheet with another.

A still further objectis to provide al receptacle for a pIural-ityof sheets of paper to be compared so that the top sheet will always be in the desired plane'.

Still another object is to provide" means for isolating the lines on the two sheets of Printed matter that are being immediately matched.

An addition-al object is to provide means for illuminating the desired lines ofthe' two sheets that are being matched.

Another and still fur-'ther object is to provide means for easy attachment and removal ofv the sheets' of printedlmatter.

Ar further additional object is to provide mea-ns for mechanically advancing a sheet of'type'd Inatter, line for line", in close proximity withY another sheet of typed matter fortl'ie purpose of match-- ing or comparison. f

Still another additional object is' to provide 2 means for selectively advancing asheet of typed matter one or more spaces for purpose of matchingr or comparison with a second sheet of typed matter.

Various other objectsl and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure and which illustrates a preferred forni of embodiment of the invention.

They manner ofaccomplishing the foregoing objects?, as well as further objects and advantages,- will be made manifest in the following description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. I is a plan view ofthe manually operated device comprisin-ga preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional vView taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig; 3 is a sectionalv View taken on the line .3+3of Fig.,1. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the automatic operating'means.

Fig. 5 is at side. elevation of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 5LB of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan showing a guard for the lines that are to be immediately compared.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line `i of Fig. 7.

Figs. 9 and 10 are' enlarged sectional views of the typies of pape-r advancing members.

Fig. 11 is a sectional View of a modification of the paper advancing member within which is disposediliuminating means.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view pres enting supporting means for the member shown in Fig, 11 and' the electrical connections therefor.

Fig; 1311s a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit used in Figs. 11 and v12eP Fig. 1,4V is a' reduced plan View similar to Fig. l of another modification of the invention showing a construction designed to facilitate the comparison of larger sheets oi Statistical matter of vary-ing Widths.

Fig. 15 is an end View similar to Fig. 5 of the modification shown in Figure 14.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denotev like parts, the main support is indi# cated by the reference numeral l0. 4The central portion .i2isi cut out to accommodate a paper receptacle i4'. This receptacle is provided with side 'aiges to maintain a plurality of sheets of paper in stacked relation'. Interpc'sed between these 'sheets of paper I8 and the bottom of the receptacle is a plate 20. Springs 22 are secured to the plate 2% and the bottom of the receptacle I4 to urge the top sheet of paper in the desired plane. A hinged flap 24 at the bottom of the receptacle can be utilized to enable easy insertion and removal of the papers from the receptacle. It is to be noticed that the height of the opening I2 is greater than the length of the receptacle there: :by providing a space vI3 at the top and/ or Vbottom so as to permit vertical movement of the receptacle within said opening. A lever or handle 26 is shown to enable the receptacle to be moved `vertically in the opening I2 for purpose of alignment which will be morefully explained later.

v portance. Any conventional means, as indicated Y Secured at the top of the device is a support clamping construction is shown, although it is apparent that any type of paper holding means may be employed. This securing means 36 Yis designed to engage the top edge 320i the sheet of paper 3121 and has a length at least thatrof the width of the paper. Y

Grooves 35 areprovidedvon the sides of the device to receive and permitmovement of the supports 38 for-the upper sheet engaging and advancing member 40. This member is shown as a circular shaft in Figs. 1 to 8, but it is also contemplated that attenedvsurfaces such as indicated in Figs. 9 to 11, will tend to position 'the line indicia to be compared in a plane comparable v to that of the under sheet I8. A lever 46 is provided to facilitate lmovement of Ythe operating member liti. A cut-out or reduced portion 48 is `28 for the paper securing means 30.' In the present embodiment, a conventional spring controlled provided to enable the upper sheet 34 togbe handled more expeditiously, as will be explained later in more detail.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, I have indicated mechanical means for'the operation of the device. YGrooves 5G and 52 are provided to receive the supports 54 and 5b, allowing of vertical movement along the I ering or black-out substance ||9 to enclose this sides of the device. A tape, band orxany other in any well known manner as at 69. This memflexible member 58 is secured to the support 5S ber 53 isY also secured tothe rotary member '62 located in an opening 63 at thev bottom of the device and to a similarly rotatable device 64 con-.-

trolled by a spring 65. `The rotarymember- E2 Iis l' mounted on a shaftSS Which'has a bearing v68 mounted on the opposite side. The rotary meinber ed is similarly mounted on a shaft 'Ill positioned in an'opening 61,' having a bearing 'I2 mounted on the opposite side of the device.

Y Keyed at 69 to the shaft 66 on one side of the main support IU is a ratchet Wheel 14. Pivotally I mounted on a shaft I6 is an operating member 'I8 having a lever 8E?. A pawl 82, having a'cam stop B3 is secured to shaft 16, but lying inthe same plane as the ratchet wheel 14 and 'adapted to have r cooperative engagement therewith and held in engagement bythe Vspring 84. movement Vofthe. opposed arm 86 of the pawl 82 i-s had by `means of a stop 8,8 positioned in its path. Adjustment 'oi'.this limitation is accomplished by the positioningof the stop plug 88 in any one of the openings 99, 92 or 94. YAnother pawl-QG is mounted at-98 on lthe operating mem- Limitd Y ber 'I8 and is continually urged into eng'agementjy by a spring |09. This pawl is prevented from dropping out ofposition by the stop IBI when the operating member I8 is lifted out 0f engagementv to returnthe member 40 to initial position. Ex-` cessive vertical movement ofthe member 'I8 is prevented by spring |32 secured toiiange |04 on amaa I' 7 i l member I8 and to a support |06 mounted on the side of the device. Operation of the above construction will be explained later, the associated structure otherwise being the same as described in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In Figs. '7 and 8, a modification shows means for accentuating the two lines that are to be immediately compared. A plate |08 is hinged at Il!) tothe member 4i] although 'it is conceivable that it could be attachedlto the support 38. An opening I 2 is provided so that, in effect, the other lines of type or'indicia are diminished in imat IIA may be used to enlarge the opening ||2 to permit more than one line of type to be viewed.

, Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional View ofthe top I of the device to/more clearly indicate the relationship of the two sheets of paper. The top of the second sheet 34 is attached to the securing member 3u and then folded under the member ilbutabove the'rst sheet. TheY bottom of the second sheet then extends outwardlyfrom the top of the device made easy by the reduced portion 48.

.progressively come into view adjacent the desired lines of the rst sheet. For purpose of matching or comparison, it is an objective to have the desired lines of each sheet to lie as nearly as possible inthe same plane. Y

Figs. 11, l2 and 13 show a modification which per-mits of illumination of the lines to be viewed. The well known properties of YI Iucite readily lendY themselvesl to applicationdn the present invention. In the enlarged sectional view of Fig." 11, I have shown the paper engaging and advancing member 40".' madeofLucite and having a covmember with therexception ofthe opening ||2'.V It is apparent, when illuminating means, such as the incandescent lamp IIB is positioned within the longitudinal openinggll,Y only the ,desired lines of both sheets |8 and 34 will'be accentuated.

Diagrammatic views of the illuminating meansv I6 and Sliding contacts are shown in Figs. 12 and 13.' Y The sliding member 38gis-shown positionedV in the groove 36 and is provided with contact plates |28 while the groove '435' is provided with correspondence sizedlpaper. In order to accom- Y' modate the larger width paper, the length of the advancing member 40 has' also,l been increased,

although'the supports l38 andthe groove construction remain the same. i Y

The securing means 30 for papersis slida'blyA mounted V(in-shaft 33,' secured to supports 35' at the outer edges'atithe top surface ofthe machine. The paper'securing meansVV 30 may be rpositioned and'held'` in placebyrja f 1 thftop edge of the winged nut'l orJ other securing means 3|, which construction per-mits` of slidabl'e' longitudinal movement" along"A shaft 33to`a1ig'n thev inscribed matter orA indicia d on the-paper 3|| he1d in position" by member' 3l wit-hthe selected column of inscribed m'atte'r or indicia af, 5; orc, on-tliemas ter sheet lii'n receptacle |14. y

Forexample; iff' aJ master statistical sheet hav-I ing a plurality of columns*off'statistiealz o'rtyped matter identifiedl thereon; as at a, lrand'l c', and itis desirable toc'ompare the data d'appearing' on sheet 3'4 wth comparable' selectedVldata ZJ* on the master sheet, the sheet/- 3`4 is: securedI to member 3W which" is positioned-`r directlyAv above4 typed matter-b, and secured'fin placeby means'lof' member 3|. The comparable printed matter on these sliee'tsis aligned:byfmovlngtlemnember 3D along thefshaft @S'inleitler clireei'fibr'isv With; particular-ireferenceI to' Fi'gsi. 1-.,. Zf'and: 3; the: sheets of. papeirl areifplacediirthelreceptacle |42. thextop sheetf: always lying in: approximately the sam'elplaneas-tther top 'face of1the: device due to: the action; ofi the"y spring;` controlled plater: 2.0'. The: companion: sheet.. to the? first.I sheet-L otv the stackissecured at. its-:topl edge1't'ozi1l1e spring, controlledz clamping member anda then. folded unthemember wf Witht'theimaor."portion f of: the sheet at theoutset', lyingunderneath' the secured. topfedge but faced'owntover the :upper portion of the topfsheett l 8.'.

Thehandlefissthen'zmanuallyfmoved?downwardlyfuntilthetrst .lneeof each :ofzthe: two' sheetsl are in: close; proximity." to: each: other.;y In theVV event there? is'. aislightY rnis'alignment',r the: receptacle'- 4 is moved by operation of the handlefZruntil vcom-- plete alignment-is' had.y Continued. movement of the;7 member. "Illvvfill` automatically cause-the related' linesV` of: eachy sheet torbe Adisposed. adjacent each-otherV asy the: upper sheet isf. unfolded or.l advanoed: down over the Y underv sheet;4 Uponi completion, the top, sheet ofy the: plurality; ofi sheets |8fis removedfrom thastackzandanother sheet, companion .to .theorie-now' on-the1top` of-.the:stack, is-g substituted;v for theV one'fse'cured to Vthe member 382-,

It. is-.to `be observedf., that .notronly, is-.the device capable of having the typed sheets comparedeby reading, but unconsciously. the:VA operator will matchthe Wordswitheut reading-f.. It. islreadily apparent, tha-ttwhen af Word.-.or; acletter is vincorrect,Y the error-l wi1l..stand.-.outbold1yas is lindi catedatv I 26m-Figs... 1 and 7; y

rAs.- previously Suggested,A itlis lmost important that-.the related v.lines fof. indicia or typed matter stand-.ont fromthe remainingtlinesi` on thesheet: This .objective isobtained` by illumination isolationand by the disposition of` the desiredlineron the upper sheet34`in aplane nearly to-that of the. under sheet.,v aspossible, `thatl condition being maintain'edf-fas.theedge or fold 35 advances downwardlyto.thelast-line..l

In .the .mechanical construction shown vin Figs. 4;..5 and. 6,. .it isnot;necessary,y that .the operator manuallyfadvance themembend down the sheet. After .setting .the selectivev control for; one,l ,two or three -li-nes-l or: spaces, operationsoifthe lever 8U willtoause-the fstepi'byffstep.travel .of .the member 40 tothe-bottom; Initialfadjustment may -behad bfi-manipulationsofftha-handle 216 positioned .at th'efb'ott'om'ofthedevices.

man; advance the manner 4t2 seeurur to th'- the# plug" sli, the pawlv azl dropping behind the next tooth and its adjacent tooth resting ontheA stop 83f, thereby' preventing an overthrow. Release of the lever will enablethe spring' |02l to return it to inoperative position. Inr 5; the lever is shown inf position to" advance the ratchetwl'ieel one tooth'. Positioning'offthe plug 88 in oneof the-openingsy 9U; 92'or 9B, will'gov erntlmie movement ofthe lever 80 toadv-ance the member 40, single, doubleA or triple spaces.

In order to'return the member `40 to its initial position, the lever I8VV islmanually raised tore`= leasethe'pawls'fromengagement and the paper advancing member automatically returns to' in' itia-l" position under the control ofv the springf 1'.v In a'4 device for comparing two *sheets-havingy lines of'in'd'ic'ia, ar'eceptacle'for the flrstsh et of paper, securing means for the second' sheet of paper mounted ori-said' receptacle adaptedto secure'said second sheet atv an" edge, a moving mrnberada-pted to engage the bight of said" sec-y ondslie'et toi-progressively bring into vieitrr a line ofn indicia ata location immediatelyl adjacent the corresponding line' of indicial on said i's't sheet to permit of'readyfcomparison.

2; In a device for comparing tyvo sheets hay? ing lines of indicia,-A a-l rec'sel'na'cleV for' the rst sheet of' paper, securingy means forL the" se'oondQs'heet of paper' mounted on said receptacle'` adaptedto secure said second sheet at'- an'edge, a' moving member adapted". to engage thebight'Y of said second sheet to progressively bring into-vlewa line of' indicia* at" a locationim'mediately" adfjacent-.the correspondingline ofindicia on said first sheet,` to permit of ready comparison,A and means for accentuating the lines ofindicia? being compared. n si In a devioe-for comparing twolsheets ria-ving lines of indicia, a receptacle'for' the firstE slieet ofV paper, securing means for the secondsheetof paper mounted' ony said receptacle adaptedV to secure said second sheet atan edge, a mov'i'ng membery adapted' to engage the- .bght of` said second sheet; toprogiessively' bring intoviewl a line' of. indicia ataiv locationV immediately adjacent* the corresponding line of indicia on'- said rst sheet' to -permit of r'e'adyf comparison,- means for accentuating the lines of'indicia beiiiigfcom'- pared, and means foral'iglning'r-.the comparable lines ofindoiaI 4i In a device-'for comparing'two sheets-hav? ing lines of indicia, a-re`ceptac-le for' the' rst sheet of paper,` securing means for the'secondr sheet* of paper mountedv on said receptaclel adapted to secure'saidsecondsheet at an edge,

y a moving" member' adapted to engage the bight of`said'second sheet to progressively'bring"v into View'v a line of indicia at a locationimniediately adjacent the' correspondingrv lineof indicia on sa-idnrst sheet to permit' otready comparison, means for' accentuating the lines" of indicia being compared?,- meansv foi"vr alie-ning the comparable lines Of Vindicia` and Inea-ns'- f Or urging the-first sheet o'fpaper intoV close relationship with that portionofs'aid secondlsheet nearest t'o'said rst sheetlylng` inthe same plane.

5".' In a p'rooflreading'v machine for typed or otherwise inscribed matter, means'rfor positioning two or moresheets of inscribedmatter in close proximity 'to-each other including a-recep talcl'effrone or morei sheets and a holdingmembe'r'mou'ntedadjacent said-'rece'p'tacle vforl securiasesina ing a second sheet at an edgarand means f. for

Yclose proximity to each other including .a receptacle for one orilmore ,sheets and a holding member mounted adjacent said receptacle for securingia second sheet at an edge, and means for progressively bringing into view a lineV of `inscribed matter onsaid second sheetand into matching relationship with the corresponding line on said first sheet comprising amoving member adapted to engage the bightA ofr said second sheet to facilitateweasy comparison, and meansY for vertically and horizontally aligning said lines of inscribed matter- Y Y o;

7. In a proof-reading machine for typedor otherwiseinscribedv matter, means for positionf ing two or more sheets `of inscribed matter in close proximity to each other` including a receptacle for one or more sheetsand a holding member mounted adjacent said receptacle for securing a second sheet at anredge, vand means for progressively bringing into view aline of in-V scribed matter on said second Ysheet and into matching relationship with the corresponding line on said rst sheet comprising an adjustable moving member adaptedrtoy engage the (bightl of said second sheet to facilitate easy comparison,

8 proximity to each other including a receptacle for. one or more sheets Yand a holding .member mounted adjacentsaid receptacle forsecuringa second sheet at an edge,n and means for .progressively bringing into View afline of'inscribed ymatter `on said second vsheet and intormatching` relationship with the corresponding VVVline onsaid rst sheet comprising a moving memberk adapted to engage theflbight of said second sheet to facilitate` easy comparison, means selectively operable for causing movement of Vsaid receptacle upwardlyl or Vdownwardlywith .respect to said second' sheet holdingY means, means for returning said moving member to its initial position, and ratchetmeans for enabling step by step movement of said mov`- ing member. Y Y,

1.1. In a proof-reading machinefortypedfor otherwise inscribed matter, V means for Vposition-1 ing two or more sheets of inscribed matter in close proximity to each other including a receptacle for one or more'sheets andaloolding member mounted adjacent `said receptacle for secure ing a second sheet at an edge, and means for progressively bringing into viewa line of` inf scribed matter yon said second sheet and into matching relationship ,with the corresponding means for vertically and horizontallylaligning f said lines of inscribed matter, and means for accentuating the lines that are being immediately compared. f f i* 8. In a proof-reading machine for typed or VVotherwise inscribed matter, means for positioningtwo or more sheets of inscribed matter in c loseproximity to each other including a receptacle for one or more `sheets and a yholding memb er mounted adjacent said receptacle for securiing a second sheet at an edge, andY means for progressively-bringing into view aline of inr scribed .matter on said second sheet and into matching relationship with the corresponding line onsaid irst sheet comprising Va moving member Y. 'adapted'to engage the bight of said second sheet to facilitate easy comparison, and means' selectively "operable for causing movement of Vvsaid receptacle upwardly or downwardly with respect to saidsecond sheet holding means, f i Y l 9. In a proof-reading machine forY typed or otherwise inscribed matter, means for positioning two or more sheets of inscribed matter inclose proximity to each other including a receptacle for one or more sheets and a holding member mounted adjacent said receptacle for securing a line on Asaid first sheet lcomprising a moving member adapted to engage the bight of said secondsheet to facilitate easy comparison, means selectively operable for causing movement of said receptacle upwardly or downwardly with respect to said second sheet holding meansgrmeans for returning saidl moving member to its initial-position, ratchet meansffor enabling step by step movement of said moving member, and a spring'V for urging said rst sheet in a plane closer `to said second sheet. l'

12. In a proof-reading Ymachine for comparing two sheets havingrindicia thereon', a receptacle `for two or more sheetsof. inscribed paper, a hold-v ing member for a second sheet at an edge mount-v ed adjacent said receptacle; means for progres;Y

sivelysbringing into view a line of inscribed matter on said second sheet and into matching relationship with the cor-responding line on one ofsaid rst mentioned sheets comprisingan adjustable moving'member adapted to engage theV Vbight of said second sheeteto vpermitl of easy comparison." l Y 13. In a proof-reading machine for comparing two sheets having indiciaV thereon, a receptacle fortwo or more sheets of inscribed paper, a hold# ing ln'rmmloerfor a second sheet at an edge mount ed adjacent said receptacle, means for'progressively bringing into vview a line oflinscribed matter on saidV secondY sheet and'into matching -re-- lationship with the correspondingV line on vone 'of second sheet at an edge, and means for progres-v i sively bringing interview a line of inscribed mat-` ter on said second sheet and intomatching rela,-r tionship with the correspondingline on said rst `sheet comprising a moving member adapted to engage the bight of said second sheetto facilitate easy comparison, meanseselectively Voperalole'for causing movement of said receptacley upwardly or downwardly withrespect lto said'second sheetV holdingV means, and means for returningsaid moving member to its initialrposition.V

10. In a'proof-reading machinefor-typedon Y otherwise inscribed e matter, Y means Yfor4 I Josnitionvv-Y ingtwo or more sheets of inscribed matter iniclose` said Yfirsty 'mentioned sheets ,comprising anV ad;-y

justable moving member adapted to engage the bight of said second sheet to permit of easy com# parison, and ratchet means for enabling step by step movement of said moving member.

14. In a proof-reading machine forlcomparing two sheets having indiciaithereon, a Vreceptacle for two or more sheets of inscribed paper, aholdingmember for asecond'*sheet at an edge mount@- ed adjacente'said ireceptaclepmean's for progres-V sively bringing intofview.V a line of inscribed mat-r ter on said second sheet and intomatching rela-v tionship fw'ithv the corresponding line on one of Ysaiclrst mentioned sheets comprisingan adjustable movingrmember adapted to Vengage the bight e e offsaid second sheet to permit of easy comparison,

ratchet -meansfcrjenablingastepfbystep Vmover, Y ment-'ofrsaidmoving member-7 and means opereYAY able for causing longitudinal movement of said second sheetl holding means to selectively position said second sheet directly over one of said rst mentioned sheets.

15. In a proof-reading machine for comparing two sheets having indicia thereon, a receptacle for two or more sheets of inscribed paper, a holding member for a second sheet at an edge mounted adjacent said receptacle, means for progressively bringing into view a line of inscribed matter on said second sheet and into matching re1a\ tionship with the corresponding line on one of said first mentioned sheets comprising an adjustable moving member adapted to engage the bight of said second sheet to permit of easy comparison, ratchet means for enabling step by step movement of said moving member, means operable for causing longitudinal movement of said 10 second sheet holding means to selectively position said second sheet directly over one of said first mentioned sheets, and means for returning said moving member to its initial position.

ROBERT VAN SICKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

